I have come to believe that by and large the human family has all the same secrets.
- Fredrick Buechner

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

To Partner or to Pioneer?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm in the middle of a teaching-tour focused on telling the stories of people who have been among the first to cross significant frontiers in the kind of work I'm part of. We're talking about men and women who blazed the trails that others have followed. Pioneers.

Since I really value partnering over pioneering, I confessed this to the students. Told them I don't think I have it in me to work toward something that doesn't even exist yet. That I lack the entrepreneurial spirit/gift. And that I nevertheless struggle with feelings of both jealousy and judgmentalism toward those who strike out on their own, who have less experience and insight than I do and yet dub themselves founder, president, or director - titles that bring them prestige and platforms. "Glory seekers," I sometimes think, "can't work with others," or "don't realize how many people are already doing this thing. Bet they didn't even think to ask or look."

While sometimes such accusations are well founded, often they are not. And I'm pretty sure my motivation to pull down others from what seem to be self-built pedestals has its roots in something rather twisted in myself.

So, let's try not squelch the people who have what it takes to blaze new trails. Try to redirect them, possibly. Temper them, sometimes. Equip them, certainly. And, I hope, come alongside them and help them to succeed, introduce them to others (one of my favorite things to do), and encourage them when they hit obstacles and snags.

Most of the pioneers I talk about in my teaching session were reluctant leaders: they had tried to join something that already existed and all the doors closed. As their vision and values crystallized they realized a new entity would be required in order to go forward. Sometimes, what they accomplished was so impressive that the early failure or rejection just seems inescapably providential; it freed and/or forced them to step out and lead the way into something new and wonderful.

Do you aspire to lead a team or organization? Say you have a compelling vision. What filters do you use in making the decision to strike out "on your own" to pursue it? I asked my Perspectives audiences for their input. Here's some of what they said.

The thing I have a passion for, is it something that's really needed?

Is anybody else doing something like this already?

Have they seen this opportunity?

Have we tried to work together?

Have I tried to join an existing organization and not found a fit?

Does it seem as if this vision is from God?

Do others encourage me to follow this vision?

Is it worth a long-term investment?

Can I make a long-term investment?

Am I willing and able to take risks, blaze trails, and go in the dark?

It seemed a good integrating question for the lesson as a whole. I significantly reworked my "expansion" and "pioneers" lesson materials and am pleased with the results. The one I'm teaching in Anchorage is combined lesson 7 & 8. And could use more "7" in it, so I may do some more tweaking this week before heading there, next week.

That question is a good addition. What are the arguments against the vision? Who opposes it?

Oh, and of course the whole time I was thinking about what Carol Davis would say. Carol's ideas - mostly filtered through Shane Bennett - are a bit help in understanding what it takes and what it means to pioneer new work. http://missionscatalyst.net/?p=1926

About Me

I play with words, travel the world, meet people, listen to stories, live by faith, read all the time, and write about what I see and hear. This blog is a place where you can find observations on this life. My views are not necessarily those of my organization, though so far they are tolerant of my quirks. So is my husband, Chris: In May 2012 I left behind a lifetime of singleness to become a wife and stepmother.

When Everything is Missions

No author credit on this one, but it already had two authors (and they needed an editor). So though I put in 120 hours on it, decided it was best to bury my name in the acknowledgements. Did the same thing a few years ago with "God's Heart for the Nations." Soft launch of WEIM was October 2017, complete release January 2018.

Study Guide for Christian Workers

The study guide I wrote in the fall of 2015, based on content already created by the other author, came out in February, 2016. Turned out great! This kind of collaboration is a great way to go. Sadly, the publisher shut down in 2017.

Stories from the Lives of Missionary Women

Yeah, I wrote this one too. It came out more than 10 years ago but continues to find an audience. Click on the image to learn more.

Followers

Say you wanted to financially partner with Marti's ministry, how would you do it?